Milan Preview: The Scene

See the top things to check out in Milan during the men's shows this season.

Milan isn’t just fashion, as the city’s Triennale Design Museum is keen to remind visitors, with its permanent exhibit devoted to highlights of Italian design. The CreativeSet space is a temporary selection of pieces within the permanent collection: Each month, an Italian design master is asked to handpick five key design works and one “supericon” to represent the best of the country’s creativity in the field. Until July 13, designer and architect Mario Bellini puts the focus on lamps and lighting.

As temperatures rise, many Italians have their sights set on weekend trips to the coast, making the opening of the new Bisbigli flagship on Corso Venezia fortuitous. With its soft colors and light wood decor, the store puts the spotlight on Bisbigli’s bright collection of beachwear, lingerie and pajamas. The brand is part of Italian textile group Linclalor, know for its high-quality materials and attention to detail.

On the heels of the opening of boutiques in Anversa and Brussels, Les Hommes opens its first flagship in Milan. Located in the new Milanese neighborhood of Porta Nuova, the store is designed by Piuarch, winners of the Italian Architect competition last year. The studio gave a new spin to materials ranging from marble, glass, galvanized steel and cement to Alcantara and gray glass mirrors, all developed in a stark and geometric design in 1,076 square feet.

The first Boglioli store opens in Milan during men’s fashion week and is a tribute to the history of the brand, its connection to the Milanese lifestyle in the Sixties and the excellence of that period’s design.

Located a few steps away from tony Via Montenapoleone, the unit was created by Dimore Studio. The brand’s effortless, understated and timeless elegance is reflected in the store and in its sleek lines, precious woods and marble floors.

Ports 1961 has teamed up with American photographer Christopher Makos to set up a retrospective at 10 Corso Como’s Galleria Carla Sozzani. The exhibition presents a selection of 62 photographs harkening back to the scene of the Seventies and Eighties in New York. Eight large pictures realized in collaboration with Andy Warhol to represent the changeable identity of the human being are also displayed as an homage to Man Ray’s shots, portraying Marcel Duchamp’s alter ego Rrose Sélavy.

“What is my source of inspiration? Just being a New Yorker,” the American photographer said, explaining his creativity.

On the occasion of the artistic project, Fiona Cibani, creative director of Ports 1961, chose three of Makos’ pictures to decorate a limited-edition capsule collection.

“When we proposed the project to Christopher, he was very enthusiastic. The more we thought about it, the more the project grew,” said Cibani. “Altered Images by Christopher Makos” 10 Corso Como Hours: Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel.: +39-02-653-531 E-mail: press@galleriacarlasozzani.org Web: galleriacarlasozzani.org

For those with a hankering for Southern hospitality, the new I Salentini seaside and countryside kitchen, located in the heart of the Brera neighborhood, offers a temporary respite from city stress. As the name suggests, it features fresh cuisine from Salento, in Italy’s Puglia region.

Specialties include wild cicorina soup with pork rind and meatballs in tomato sauce served with ricotta and roasted figs stuffed with almonds and cinnamon. For lunch, guests can savor light dishes including swordfish, tuna and mullet.

Owners Francesca Micoccio and Antonio Ingrosso select organic ingredients and fish exclusively from Salento. Even the restaurant’s location — a former art gallery — is filled with furnishings made by artisans from Puglia, and a small pantry offers guests the opportunity to buy typical products such as wine, olive oil and baked goods.

Situated at Porta Nuova Varesine in Palazzo Lombardia, a newly completed regional government building, Caffè Ottolina is smack in the middle of a trendy new district. It’s also the very first coffee shop opened by Ottolina, a Milanese roasting company that dates back to 1948, and boasts an impressive lineup of baristas from the Italian Academy of Coffee Masters: The team lays claim to the largest cappuccino ever prepared (1,123 gallons, in 2013) and the greatest number of coffees in a hour (623 coffees, in 2011). Caffeine fixes aside, Caffè Ottolina serves warm, cream-filled croissants, and a range of piadine, salads and appetizers inside its minimalist space. Those craving sunshine can try out the spacious outdoor area.

ADD A COMMENT

Sign in using your Facebook or Twitter account, or simply type your comment below as a guest by entering your email and name. Your email address will not be shared. Please note that WWD reserves the right to remove profane, distasteful or otherwise inappropriate language.

Recent WWD Issues

Fairchild Fashion Media

WWD.com is the authority for news and trends in the worlds of fashion, beauty and retail. Featuring daily headlines and breaking news from all Women's Wear Daily publications, WWD.com provides the most comprehensive coverage anywhere of fashion, beauty and retail news and is the leading destination for all fashion week updates and show reviews from New York, Paris, Milan and London.